London Lantern

Putting the Spotlight on London

This month in the Lantern

Top London Chefs and Restaurateurs - Ben Purton of The Montagu

The Montagu at Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill opened in May 2005, and has quickly established itself as a destination restaurant in Central London. The Executive Chef is Ben Purton, formerly Head Chef at Selfridges Ltd, where he oversaw 17 food outlets and was responsible for a team of 46 chefs.

Top London Chefs and Restaurateurs - Alfred Prasad of Tamarind

Alfred Prasad joined Tamarind as Sous Chef in 2001. His flair, innovation and desire to be prominent on the world’s culinary map progressed Alfred to Executive Chef in August 2002. Tamarind has retained its Michelin Star for five years and is the only Indian restaurant in the UK and Europe to hold this prestigious award. Alfred’s cuisine is...

Top London Chefs and Restaurateurs - Nick Lambert (cont)

Nick then worked at Michelin-starred L'Oranger under Kemal Benemar for three months which was an eye-opener in so many ways. He felt that was one of the most pathetic and odious human beings he had ever come across in a position of authority - whilst his food was very good, his man management skills and health and hygiene practices were appalling.

Top London Chefs and Restaurateurs - Nick Lambert

Nick Lambert was born in Saltburn, North Yorkshire in 1971, his father was a Church of England Vicar and great organic gardener, while his mother was a Dentist and great cook; as a result he always loved food from a young age - on his 4th birthday, when asked what he wanted as a present, he requested a pound of mushrooms cooked with garlic and...

Top London Chefs and Restaurateurs - Oliver Smith

Oliver Smith has been head chef at Babylon, at The Roof Gardens, since October 2003. Set 100 ft above Kensington High Street, Babylon is famous for its breathtaking views, overlooking one and a half acres of tropical gardens and London’s skyline. Smith’s simple and quality dishes reflect the unique design and surroundings of Babylon, offering...

Top London Chefs and Restaurateurs - Guy Bossom

Guy Bossom is Head Chef at The People’s Palace restaurant and bar - Now closed temporarily because of the refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall - and has been since March 2000; the restaurant is situated within the Royal Festival Hall. Its floor to ceiling windows offering, panoramic views across the capital, are perfectly complimented...

Top London Chefs and Restaurateurs - Michael Moore

Michael Moore is the Chef Proprietor of the wonderfully intimate Michael Moore Restaurant on Blandford Street in über-cool Marylebone. The restaurant boasts an adventurous and cultured menu, reflecting the local ingredients and national tastes Michael experienced during his extensive travels across the globe.

Top London Chefs and Restaurateurs - Brian Turner

Brian Turner is one of Britain's most successful and well-known chefs. His early mentor was the food writer and broadcaster the late Michael Smith. Turner has trained at some of the most prestigious hotels and restaurants in Europe. Following two years at 'Simpson's in the Strand' with Richard Shepherd, (now owner of Langan's Brasserie), he...

Top London Chefs and Restaurateurs - Herbert Berger

Herbert Berger is an executive chef with a wide knowledge and experience of fine international cuisine and catering; he strongly believes in borrowing freely from each school of culinary thought and cultures. He has received many accolades and awards during his career for his excellent talent, been the subject of many reviews, media appearances,...

Top London Chefs and Restaurateurs - Andrew Turner

Andrew Turner is one of London’s most well-established and respected chefs. He started his training in France after leaving catering college at the age of 18 before returning to England as an accomplished chef. He then went on to work with some of the world’s most well known and talked about chefs including Albert Roux and Anton Edelmann.

Antony Worrall Thompson was born in 1952 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Public-school educated (Kings School, Canterbury) Antony then studied Hotel and Catering Management at Westminster College. It was in 1981 that Antony opened Menage a Trois in Knightsbridge (widely known to be the Princess of Wales’s favourite restaurant) to ‘abundant publicity and...